Contact lens edge finishing machine

ABSTRACT

A portable machine used to accomplish the final operations in the sequence of fabricating a contact lens. The machine includes a pair of rotating inwardly directed spindles, each having a rubber tip and can be bindingly brought together to firmly support the rotating contact lens while the final operations are effected. A feature of the machine is the lens centering device which accurately positions the geometrical center of the lens in coincident alignment with the rotating axes of the spindles. The machine also includes a movable guidably supported cutting tool for concentrically reducing the diameter and the thickness of the lens at the periphery thereof, a movable guidably supported rotating polishing wheel for blending the newly cut surfaces with the previously ground optic surfaces and polishing the periphery of the lens, a unique mechanical oscillator which cyclically shifts the rotating axis of the polishing wheel so as to automatically and uniformly polish all the newly cut surfaces, i.e., the terminal edge, the convex surface and the concave surface of the lens, and a workpiece enlarger which presents a visual blow-up of: the lens, the cutting tool, and the polishing wheel to the operator.

O k t Mme States 1r atent 1 {111 3,722,143

Cottom Mar. 27, 1973 CONTACT LENS EDGE FINISHING MACHINE [57] ABSTRACT Inventor! Truman Cotmm, p A portable machine used to accomplish the final Temloperations in the sequence of fabricating a contact [73] Assigneez Roy Mabry Tutwiler, Miss 7 lens. The machine includes a pair of rotating inwardly directed spindles, each having a rubber tip and can be Filedi J 1971 bindingly brought together to firmly support the rotat- [211 App]. 110,979 ing contact lens while the final operations are effected. A feature of the machine is the lens centering device which accurately positions the geometrical 2 5 center of the lens in coincident alignment with the u I q I r s e e s [58] new of SeardL'SI/S 101 105 216 cludes a movable guidably supported cutting tool for 51/217 284 concentrically reducing the diameter and the thickness of the lens at the periphery thereof, a mova- [56] References Cited ble guidably supported rotating polishing wheel for UNITED STATES PATENTS blending the newly cut surfaces with the previously ground optic surfaces and polishing the periphery of Stem the lens a unique mechanical Oscillator y l 3,205,625 9/1965 Thomas..... 3,145,506 8/1964 vegors u cally shifts the rotating ax s of the polishing wheel so 3,599,377 8/1971 Dartnell ..51/284 as to automancally and "mommy P011511 all the newly 2,031,380 2/1936 McCabe ..51/216 LPX Cut Surfaces, the terminal edge, the Convex 2,441,472 5/1948 DAvaucourt.... ..51/216 LP face and the concave surface of the lens, and a work- 2,228,563 H1941 GOddLl U101 LG piece enlarger presents a visual b1ow-up of; the 3,112,581 l2/l963 Hoffman ..5l/5 X Primary ExaminerDonald G. Kelly Att0meyJ0hn R. Walker, III- lens, the cutting tool, and the polishing wheel to the operator.

1 I 1 Twi s H3 85 PATENTEDHARZHQYS 722 143 SHEET 3 OF 5 27 A, I W 203 20/ I /85 l 7 /99 9 \2/5 \2/ 2 3 INVENTOR,

TRUMAN W. GOTTOM BY %/ZWW;Z

PATENTEEHARZT m5 SHEET 5 OF 5 mmN CONTACT LENS EDGE FINISHING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to the art of cutting and finishing contact lenses and more particularly, to a portable contact lens machine having means for cutting and polishing contact lenses.

2. Description of the Prior Art The majority of the patents pertaining to grinding edges of optical lenses which are known to the applicant are specifically directed toward grinding an edge of a lens for the normal eyeglasses, i. e., an edge which facilitates installing the lens into frame structure. The principal problem for grinding an edge for a lens of the above type appears to be that the lens is seldom, if ever, a perfect circle, the object being to continually update the fashion of the shape of a lens for ordinary eyeglasses principally for aesthetic purposes. This continual changing of the shape of a lens presents a problem unique to fabricating such a lens as opposed to finishing the edge of a contact lens. Patents known to the applicant which teach the art of grinding edges of optical lenses for ordinary eyeglasses are: the Eaves U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,068; the Ellis U.S. Pat. No. 2,685,153; the Connell U.S. Pat. No. 2,748,541; the Gursch U.S. Pat. No. 2,855,734; the Reaser U.S. Pat. No. 3,158,967 and the Stern Pat. Nos. 3,332,172 and 3,353,303.

The techniques taught for grinding the edge of a lens for the ordinary eyeglasses has little or no application in solving the problems peculiar to grinding an edge for a contact lens. It might appear that finishing an edge of a contact lens is a mundane task, particularly in view of the above art and since the contact lens is preferably a perfect circle. However, certain problems are peculiar to the art of finishing the edge of a contact lens: first, the contact lens is formed from a plastic substance as opposed to glass for the ordinary eyeglasses. Since plastic is a rather soft and easily marred substance when compared to the hardness of glass, the mere problem of .holding the plastic lens differs greatly. Secondly, the contact lens is minute in size when compared to the ordinary eyeglass, e. g., a typical diameter ofa contact lens is 8.5 mm as compared to 40 mm to 50 mm for ordinary eyeglasses. Thirdly, at least a portion of the posterior concave surface of the contact lens must conform to the surface of the eyeball of the person wearing the lens. Fourthly, the anterior or convex surface of the contact lens preferably has a very smooth gently curved surface, and the terminal edge of the lens preferably terminates with a very small radius so that the eyelids of the person wearing the lens will not become irritated as is customary when any foreign object is in ones eye.

Patents directed particularly toward the art of contact lens finishing which are known to the applicant are: The Kratt U.S. Pat. No. 3,087,284; the Vegors et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,111,790 and the Hoffman U.S. Pat. No. 3,1 12,581. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in theory thereis general agreement concerning the criteria for finishing a contact lens. However, the problem of correlating the theoretical knowledge into actual practice is a current problem, even in view of the above art. The practitioners known to the applicant are currently relying to a great extent on manual operations, and, by and large, the end product leaves much to be desired, as evidenced by the book CONTACT LENS PRACTICE BASIC AND ADVANCED, by Assistant Professor, Physiological Optics and Optometry at the University of California in Berkeley. The book is published by Charles C. Thomas of springfleld, Illinois, and on pages 191-200 the subject and/or the problems encountered with current contact lenses is/are discussed. Briefly, the result of his study revealed that considerable variability was found to exist in the edges of the various lenses used in the experiment, and less than 20 percent of the lenses sampled were satisfactory or comfortable to wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the problems relative to contact lens finishing. The concept of the present invention is to provide: First, a pair of synchronized rotating inwardly directed spindles, each terminating with a resilient tip for contiguously engaging and firmly holding, without marring, the contact lens.

Second, a lens centering device. This device accurately positions the geometrical center of the lens in coincident alignment with the rotating axes of the spindles.

Third, a movable guidably supported cutting tool for reducing the diameter and the thickness of the lens at the periphery thereof. The cutting tool is guidingly moved laterally along two axes, i. e., one axis parallel with the longitudinal or rotating axes of the spindles and the other axis extends toward and away from the rotating spindles. A unique feature of the cutting tool is that movement along the latter of the above mentioned axes is along an arcuate path having a radius the center of which is located along the rotating axes of the spindles. Movement of the cutting tool along the former of the above-mentioned axes positions the cutting tool to an infinite number of-settings, each having a different length radius at different points along the rotating axes of the spindles. The cutting tool, when moved along this former axis thins the peripheral edge of the lens to a desired thickness.

Fourth, a movable guidably supported rotating polishing wheel for blending the newly cut surfaces with the previously ground optic surfaces and polishing the periphery of the lens. A unique feature of the present invention is a mechanical oscillator which cyclically shifts the rotating axis of the polishing wheel assuring that the convex and concave surfaces of the lens are finished as desired.

Fifth, a workpiece enlarger scope which presents a visual blow-up to the operator of: the rotating lens, the cutting tool, and the portion of the polishing wheel that engages the lens. This feature greatly enhances the ability of the operator to precision finish a contact lens consistently and quickly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as on the line III-III I ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as on the line IVIV of FIG. 1, with much of the structure being deleted for clarity.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as on the line VV of FIG. 2, with much of the structure being deleted for clarity.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the rotating spindles, showing the centering device in broken lines as it engages and centers the lens between the spindles.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the spindles as might be seen in the scope, wherein the contact lens is clearly seen between the resilient tipped spindles, and the cutting tool as well as the polishing wheel are also shown on the scope.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the guiding support structure for the cutting tool.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken as on the line IX-IX of FIG. 4 having much of the structure removed for clarity.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken as on the line X-X of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken as on the line XI--XI of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a schematic of the electrical system of the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The machine 11 of the present invention is used to accomplish the final operations in the sequence of fabricating a contact lens 13. The final operations are subsequent to the lens blank having had the proper optic qualities ground therein, being now ready to be shaped to the contour of the wearers eyeball, and to be reduced to the proper diameter, to have the edge thinned to the desired thickness and to be polished to a smooth surface wherein the multiple radii smoothly blend uninterruptingly from one to the other. The above description of the technique of contact lens edge finishing will suffice for present purposes, particularly since considerably prior art has been referenced and from a theoretical viewpoint in regard to the contact lens 13, the preferred or desired shape substantially remains unchanged. In this regard, an important feature of the machine 11 of the present invention is that it turns out a contact lens 13 having a more perfect shape, i. e., more closely conforming to the theoretical requirements or desired specifications. Equally important is that the machine 11 of the present invention consistently turns out a contact lens 13 having the desired shape and the likelihood of human error in accomplishing the heretofore manual tasks is virtually eliminated.

The machine 11 is housed in a console-like cabinet 15 formed from sheet metal or the like and having a shape substantially as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The cabinet 15 has the usual left end 17 and right end 19, each having a planar shape resembling the letter L, as best viewed in FIG. 1, wherein the left end 17 is shown.

The cabinet 15 includes a front side 21 and a back side 23, the latter comprising one contiguous surface spanning the distance between the respective left and right ends 17, 19. The front side 21 extends vertically upward from a first horizontal surface constituting the floor 25 of the cabinet 15 to a second horizontal surface constituting a work surface or table 27. A second substantially vertically slanted surface 21 extends upwardly from the table 27 to a third horizontal surface 29 constituting the top of the cabinet 15. It should be understood that the front side 21, the slanted front 21, the floor 25, the table 27 and the top 29 of the cabinet 15 cover the span between the respective left and right ends 17, 19.

The slanted front 21 has numerous actuating devices attached thereto and generally constitutes the control panel for the machine 11, details of which are yet to be disclosed.

The machine 11 of the present invention generally comprises a pair of opposed axially aligned inwardly directed rotating spindles 31, 33 each including a resilient contact lens holding device 35, 37 fixedly attached at the innermost ends thereof (the spindle 33 includes a lens centering device 39 circumjacent thereto for accurately concentrically positioning the lens 13 between the spindles 31, 33), a movable guidably supported cutting tool 41, and a movable guidably supported rotating polishing wheel 43.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, wherein it may be seen that a spindle drive motor 45, having a rotating output shaft 47 keyed to a pulley 49, rotatably drives an elongated shaft 51 through an endless belt 53 and a second pulley 55. The elongated shaft 51 is journaled to the floor 25 of the cabinet 15 by a pair of bearing and support assemblies 57, 59. Fixedly attached to the shaft 51 adjacent each end thereof are a pair of pulleys 61, 63. It should be pointed out that the pulley 55 preferably is located along the shaft 51 intermediate the two bearing and support assemblies 57, 59 and that the bearing and support assemblies 57, 59 preferably are positioned adjacent the outermost ends of the shaft 51. Further, the shaft 51 is actually a greater distance removed from the motor 45 than is shown in FIG. 5, i. e., the shaft 51 preferably is located adjacent the front side 21 of the cabinet 15 having its rotating axis parallel to and directly beneath the rotating axes of the spindles 31, 33, as best viewed in FIG. 3. In order to more clearly illustrate the complete structure of the machine 11, the shaft 51 is shown in FIG. 5 having a spaced apart relationship laterally from separate but adjacent structure yet to be disclosed, when actually the preferred positioning of the shaft 51 is subjacent to the just-mentioned undisclosed structure.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, it may be seen that the spindles 31, 33 are rotatably attached to the table 27 of the cabinet 15, in a manner yet to be disclosed. In this regard, a bearing and support assembly rotatably supports, at the one end, the spindle 31 and the opposite end rotatably supports a shaft 67. Adjacent the outer end of the shaft 67 is fixedly attached thereto a pulley 69. An endless belt 71 extends through a suitably aligned aperture (not shown) in the table surface 27 and engages the pulleys 61, 69.

Additionally, a bearing and support assembly 73 rotatably supports, at the inner end, the spindle 33 and the opposite end rotatably supports a shaft 75. Adjacent the outermost end of the shaft 75 is fixedly attached thereto a pulley 77. An endless belt 79 engages the pulleys 63, 77, extending through the table 27 in a suitably disposed aperture (not shown).

It should be pointed out that the respective belts 71, 79 are of the well known positive drive type with the obvious purpose being to preclude the possibility of one spindle, e. g., spindle 31, having a relative motion with respect to the other spindle 33. A relative motion between the spindles 31, 33 would possibly damage or mar the optic surfaces of the contact lens 13 sandwiched between the spindles 31, 33 in a manner yet to be disclosed.

Additionally, the structure of the bearing and support assemblies 65, 73 includes driving means between the respective shafts and spindles 67, 31; 75, 33, e. g., a positive engaging spline shaft or the like. Also, the spindles 31, 33 are rotatably supported in the respective support assemblies 65, 73 in any well known manner which will minimize the likelihood of the spindles 31, 33 having end play, e. g., thrust bearings (not shown) press fitted to the spindles 31, 33 providing lateral support thereto and obviating end play. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the minute thickness of the lens 13 and its inherent susceptibility to becoming marred necessitates supporting the lens 13 between the spindles 31, 33 firmly. Thus, this precludes the possibility of the lens shifting once it has been positioned between the spindles 31, 33, a likely possibility if end play existed.

The contact lens holding devices 35, 37, having a resilient structure, e. g., like that of the well known rubber O-rings, frictionally engage the contact lens 13 when the spindle 33 is moved to the left as viewed in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. The spindles 31, 33, being formed from machine steel or the like, have a round cross section and terminate inwardly with a concentrically aligned frusto-conical portion substantially as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7. The innermost end of the spindles 31, 33 are further reduced in diameter concentrically so as to form a minute annular boss or nib portion (not shown) for receiving and frictionally supporting the annular 0- rings 35, 37, i. e., the inner diameter of the O-rings 35, 37 circumjacently engaging the respective protruding nib.

The spindle 33 is moved along its longitudinal or rotating axis from a first position wherein the contact lens 13 may be freely inserted between the O-rings 35, 37 to a second position wherein the contact lens 13 is firmly held rigid with respect to the two spindles 31, 33. This movement of the spindle 33 is accomplished by the bearing and support assembly 73 being slidably moved along the shaft 75. The end of the shaft 75, being rotatably received by the bearing and support assembly 73, preferably is provided, with a suitable splined portion, not shown, so that longitudinal movement along the shaft 75 of the bearing and support assembly 73 does not interfere with the synchronous drive of the two spindles 31, 33.

A locking handle 81 actuates a typical double link as sembly 83, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The double link assembly 83 includes a stationary member 85 having one end thereof fixedly attached to the table 27 in any well known manner, e. g., a bolt 87 extending through suitable apertures (not shown) in the member 85 and the table 27. The handle 81 extends upwardly from a first link 89 (FIG. 2) having the one end thereof pivotally attached to the stationary member 85 (FIG. 3) by a pivot pin 91. The other end of the link 89 is pivotally attached to the one end ofa second link 93 by a pivot pin 95 (FIG. 2). The other end of the second link 93 is pivotally attached to the bearing and support assembly 73 in any well known manner, e. g., a bolt 97 inserted through a suitably sized aperture in the link 93 and received in a threaded aperture (not shown) in the bearing and support assembly 73.

It should be apparent that clockwise rotation of the handle 81 (FIG. 2) causes the bearing and support assembly 73 to move toward the right end 19 which in turn causes the spindle 33 to assume the aforementioned first position. In this regard, the respective first and second links 89, 93 are displaced so that the longitudinal axes thereof assume a substantial vertical position. Conversely, rotation of the handle 81 counterclockwise causes the spindle 33 to assume the aforementioned second position, additionally, the respective first and second links 89, 93 assume a position substantially as depicted in FIG. 2 wherein the longitudinal axes thereof are substantially horizontal.

The machine 11 preferably is intended for operation by connecting to any convenient outlet, e. g., 115 volts AC. The spindles 31, 33 are caused to rotate by first closing the main switch 97 located on the control panel 21 (FIG. 2). A spindle on and off switch 99, located on the control panel 21' adjacent the right end 19 actuates the motor 45, causing the spindles 31, 33 to rotate through the aforementioned drive train. The spindles 31, 33 may be rotated in either direction depending upon the position of an additional switch 101, i. e., switch 101 has a forward position, a reverse position, and a third or middle position, break, wherein the spindles 31, 33 become rigid in regard to rotation. Additionally, a rheostat 103, having infinite positions, controls the speed of the spindles 31, 33 in either the forward, or reverse position. The switch 101 and the rheostat 103 are also located on the control panel 21' toward the right end 19 of the cabinet 15, as viewed in FIG. 2.

The lens centering device 39, being formed from machine steel or the like, has a sleeve or tubular configuration, the inner diameter having a dimension which provides a close slip fit over the circumference of the spindle 33, as best viewed in FIGS. 3 and 6. The one end of the centering device 39 is provided with a plurality of inwardly directed tapered prongs 105 (preferably four) symmetrically arranged radially about the circumference of the centering device 39 and directed towards the opposite spindle 31, as ,best viewed in FIG. 6. The prongs 105, being directed toward the opposite spindle 31 have an inclined surface with an angular displacement between the circumference and the center of the device 39, e. g., 30. Stated another way, the prongs 105 have a surface 106 with an inwardly directed taper whereby an extension inwardly of the innermost surface of each of the prongs 105 would converge precisely at a common point along the rotating axis of the spindle 33.

The lens centering device 39 has two positions: a stowed position, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the device 39 is slidably moved along the spindle 33 so as to come to rest adjacent the bearing and support assembly 73. A second position, wherein the device 39 is slidably moved manually toward the opposite spindle 31 so that the prongs 105 assume a position depicted in broken lines in FIG. 6, wherein the prongs are character referenced by the numeral 105'. It should be pointed out that the centering device 39 preferably is locked in the stowed position in any suitable manner. Thus, I prefer to provide an annular recess about the outer circumference of the device adjacent the end opposite the prongs and to drill a transversal hole in the bottom of the recess which receives a steel ball, the steel ball is forced into a second recess provided about the circumference of the spindle 33 by anO-ring circumjacently received within the first mentioned recess within the centering device 39. It should be understood that the above structure for locking the device 39 in the stowed position, being optional and mundane, is not shown on the drawings.

The important feature of the lens centering device 39 is that when the contact lens is placed between the spindles 31, 33 (FIG. 6), with the handle 81 being rotated clockwise as above described, the device 39 is manually slid over the lens 13 so that the prongs 105 accurately position the geometrical center of the lens in coincident alignment with the rotating axes of the spindles 31, 33. While the centering device 39 remains in the above position, the locking handle 81 is rotated counterclockwise which moves the spindle 33 to the left as viewed in FIG. 6 and the resilient O-rings 35, 37 contiguously engage the respective convex and concave surfaces of the lens 13 so that it is bindingly held stationary with respect to the spindles 31, 33 as they rotate. The centering device 39 is then slidably moved manually to the stowed position, as above described.

One of the many steps in finishing the edge of a contact lens involves reducing the diameter of the lens to a specified dimension. Another important step in finishing the edge of a contact lens involves reducing the thickness of the lens at the outer periphery, i. e., cutting away material from the concave surface of the lens adjacent the peripheral edge and cutting away material from the convex surface adjacent the peripheral edge, so as to produce a lens having the desired shape. The machine 11 of 'the present invention accomplishes the above steps by use of the cutting tool 41.

The cutting tool 41 is movable and guidably supported by a cutting tool feed assembly 107, best viewed in FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 11. The cutting tool feed assembly 107 includes an upper dovetail member 109, formed from machine steel or the like, having at the one end thereof a segment of a worm wheel or a sector gear 11 1 and supporting at the other end thereof a cutting tool support pedestal 113. The pedestal 113, being formed from machine steel or the like, is provided with an aperture 1 15 extending the length thereof for receiving an attachment bolt 117. The attachment bolt 117, being inserted through the aperture 115, is threadedly received into an aperture (not shown) suitably positioned adjacent the innermost end of the upper dovetail member 109. The upper end of the pedestal 113 is provided with a second aperture (not shown) extending parallel with the aperture 1 15 and threaded to receive a cutting tool set screw 119.

The cutting tool 41, being formed from tool steel and having a suitable knife-like wraparound cutting end, extends through a suitably sized and shaped transverse aperture 121. Further, the threaded aperture receiving the set screw 1 19 extends perpendicular to the aperture 121 so that the set screw 119 may be threadedly run into the transverse aperture 121 so as to adjustably fixedly attach the cutting tool 41 to the pedestal 113 at infinite settings along the length thereof. Protruding downwardly from the lower surface of the dovetail member 109 is an elongated arcuate dovetailed male portion 123 having a center of curvature concentric with the center of curvature of the sector gear 111, as best viewed in FIG. 8.

The feed assembly 107 also includes an intermediate dovetail member 125, formed from machine steel or the like, which has an inner end shaped substantially identical to the upper dovetail member 109, when viewed from above as in FIG. 8. The upper surface of the inner end of the intermediate dovetail member 125 is provided with an elongated arcuate dovetailed female portion 127 having a center of curvature concentric with the center of curvature of the male dovetail portion 123. The female portion 127 is suitably positioned and has dimensions for mating with or slidably receiving the male dovetail portion 123 of the upper member 109.

The outer end of the intermediate member 125 includes an upwardly directed rectangular portion 129 the height of which extends above the upper surface of the upper dovetail member 109, substantially as viewed in FIG. 11. The face of the inner side of the portion 129 is provided with an arcuate recess 131 having a center of curvature concentric with the center of curvature of the dovetailed portion 127 and having a dimension suitable for freely receiving the sector gear 111.

The portion 129 is also provided with an elongated aperture 133 extending parallel with the longitudinal axis thereof. The aperture 133 receives a worm gear 135 meshing with the sector gear 11 1. Fixedly attached at the one end of the worm gear 135 is a shaft 137 protruding outwardly from the portion 129 through the aperture 133 and through an aperture (not shown) in an annular boss portion 139, an integral portion of the member 125. The shaft 137 is free to rotate within the boss 139 and the opposite end of the shaft 137 carries a knurled knob 141 for manually rotating the worm gear 135.

Rotation of the worm gear 135 displaces the upper dovetail member 109 from the midposition depicted in FIG. 8 to its outer limits depicted by the numeral 109' for the one limit and 109" for the opposite limit. In this regard, and referring to FIG. 7, the cutting tool 41 is depicted in a midposition as it would appear when the member 109 is in the midposition and is character referenced by the numeral 41' when the member 109 is displaced to one limit and character referenced by the numeral 41" when the member 109 is displaced to its opposite limits. It should be pointed out that when the cutting tool 41 is at its extreme position as depicted in FIG. 7 by the numeral 41", it preferably would wrap around the edge of the contact lens 13, the cutting tool set screw 119 and the pedestal attachment bolt 117 adjusts the cutting tool 41 so that it may engage the edge of the contact lens 13 in any desirable position.

The feed assembly 107 also includes a third or lower dovetail member 143, formed. from machine steel or the like. The member 143, having a substantially square platelike structure, has a machine-cut female dovetailed portion 145 extending between opposite edges and recessed into the top surface thereof. The intermediate dovetail member 125 also includes a male dovetail portion 147 protruding downwardly from the lower surface and extending transversely adjacent the outer end thereof, as best viewed in FIG. 11. The member 143 is provided with a pair of apertures 161 (FIG. 8) adjacent the outer edge thereof for receiving a pair of attachment bolts 163 which removably attach the member 143 to the table 27. It should be apparent that the dimensions of the dovetail portions 145, 147 are such that the male portion 147 may be mated with and may freely slide to and fro within the female portion 145. Additionally, the edges of the dovetail portions 145, 147 form a substantial straight line and opposite edges are parallel, one with the other, to insure the dovetail portions 143, 145 have a constant width, i. e., the dimensions between the opposite edges of the respective dovetail portions 145, 147 are substantially equal at all points along the length thereof.

The feed assembly 107 also includes an elongated shaft 149, as best viewed in FIG. 3. The inner end of the shaft 149 is provided with a threaded portion which is threadedly received into a suitably aligned and threaded aperture 151 in the intermediate dovetail member 155, as best viewed in FIG. 11. The opposite end of the shaft 149 carries a knurled knob 153 for manually rotating the shaft 149. The shaft 149 is journaled outwardly thereof to the table 27 (FIG. 3) by a bearing support assembly 155 and'is journaled inwardly thereof to the lower dovetail member 143 by a second bearing support assembly 157. The bearing support assembly 157 may be an integral part of the member 143 or it may be separate structure fixedly attached thereto in any well known manner, e. g., bolts (not shown). The shaft 149, being free to rotate within the respective outer and inner support assemblies 155, 157 is prevented from movement along its longitudinal axis in any well known manner, e. g., annular recesses (not shown) adjacent each side of the support assembly 155 machined into the circumference of the shaft 149 to receive a pair of snaprings 159 (FIG. 3).

Manual rotation of the knob 153 runs the threaded end of the shaft 149 relatively in and/or out of the aperture 151, thus causing the intermediate dovetail member 125 to be slidably moved along the dovetail portion 145 of the lower member 143. The intermediate member 125 carries the upper member 109, the pedestal 113', and the cutting tool 41, thus guiding the cutting tool 41 parallel with the rotating axes of the spindle 31, 33, i. e., as viewed in FIG. 3. The cutting tool 41 is thusly moved to perform the operation of removing the desired amount of plastic material from both the concave and convex surfaces of the lens 13.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the assembly 107 coacting with the desired shaped cutting tool 41 used to guidingly remove plastic material from the accurately centered rotating lens 13 is capable of consistently turning out a contact lens 13 which precisely conforms to the desired specifications.

The art of finishing the edge portions of a contact lens includes polishing the surfaces of the concave and convex side adjacent the peripheral edge and also polishing the terminal edge. This polishing procedure preferably is of sufficient abrasion to blend surfaces having different radii into one smooth uninterrupted contour, i. e., both the concave and convex surfaces. Here again, particular care must be taken to guard against the possibility of marring the optical surfaces of the contact lens. Accordingly, this operation also has heretofore been accomplished by and large manually or at best semi-manually. The machine 11 of the present invention accomplishes the above operation substantially automatically with extreme precision and more importantly, consistently turns out a finished lens having the desired specifications. From FIG. 7 of the drawing, it may be seen that the polishing wheel 43 has an annular groove recessed into the outer circumferential surface for burnishing both the concave and convex surfaces of the lens 13.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings wherein it may be seen that the polishing wheel 43 is fixedly attached to a rotatable shaft 167, in any well known manner, e. g., a locknut (not shown). The shaft 167 is journale'd to the upper end of a support pedestal 169 by a bearing support assembly 171. The assembly 171, being formed'from steel or the like, is fixedly attached to the pedestal 169 in any well known manner, e. g., welding or the like. The opposite end of the shaft 167 carries a pulley 173 which is rotatably driven by an endless belt or preferably an O-ring belt 175 having a circular cross section. The lower end of the support pedestal 169 is fixedly attached to a polishing wheel platform 177 in any well known manner, e. g., welding or the like.

The polishing wheel platform 177 is pivotally attached to the table 27 by a pivot pin 179 (FIG. 4). The lower end of the pivot pin 179 is fixedly attached, as by welding or the like, to the upper surface of the table 27 and the upper end of the pivot pin 179 is received into a suitably sized aperture (not shown) in the lower surface of the platform 177, the aperture preferably being provided with a suitable and typical friction-reducing means, e. g., roller bearing assembly or bronze bushing (not shown). The O-ring 175 extends downwardly through a suitably aligned elongated aperture (not shown) in both the platform 177 and the table 27 and frictionally engages a pulley 181, keyed to the output shaft 183 of a variable speed motor 185, as best viewed in FIG. 5.

The motor 185 is fixedly attached at the inner end of a movable motor mount 187 in any well known manner, e. g., bolts (not shown). The motor mount 187, formed from steel or the like, is pivotally attached intermediate thereof to a second movable mounting plate 189 by a pivot pin 191, as best viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5. The lower end of the pivot pin 191 is fixedly attached, as by welding or the like, to the mounting plate 189, which is formed from steel or the like. The upper end of the pivot pin 191 is received in a suitably aligned aperture (not shown) in the lower surface of the motor mount 187 preferably being provided with a suitable friction-reducing means, e. g., a roller bearing assembly or bronze bushing (not shown).

It should be observed (FIG. 4) that an extension downwardly of the vertical axis of the pivot pin 179 supporting the platform 177 passes precisely through the vertical axis of the pivot pin 191 pivotally supporting the mounting plate 189, for purposes yet to be disclosed. The outer end of the motor mount 187 carries a vertically disposed shaft 193, being fixedly attached thereto, as by welding or the like. The shaft 193 extends upwardly through an enlarged aperture (not shown) within the table surface 27 being fixedly attached, as by welding or the like, to the lower surface of the platform 177, as best viewed in FIG. 4. It should be obvious that the platform 177 and the motor mount 187, being rigid one with the other as above-described, may be pivoted about their respective pivot pins 179, 191 by lateral movement of the vertical shaft 193. Accordingly, reciprocal lateral movement of the shaft 193 is accomplished by a pittman arm 195 having the inner end thereof pivotally attached about the shaft 193, in any well known minimum friction manner, e. g., a roller bearing assembly concentrically engaging the outer circumference of the shaft (not shown). It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the shaft 193 is depicted in FIG. 4 as being one continuous member, engineering expediency may dictate that the shaft 193 preferably be formed of a plurality of shafts connected one to the other, in any well known manner, such as couplings or the like. In this regard, it is to be understood that the shaft 193 may be a plurality of connected shafts without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The lower surface of the mounting plate 189 (FIG. 4) adjacent the outer end thereof removably supports an oscillating motor 197, having its output shaft 199 extending upwardly through a suitable aperture (not shown) in the mounting plate 189. The upper end of the shaft 199 carries a rotating disk 201 having an eccentrically positioned drive shaft 203 fixedly attached to the upper surface thereof, as by welding or the like. The outer end of the pittman arm 195 is pivotally attached to the eccentric shaft 203 in any well known minimum friction manner, e. g., a roller bearing assembly (not shown) concentrically engaging the outer circumference of the shaft 203.

The polishing wheel drive motor 185 is energized by closing a switch 205 located adjacent the upper lefthand corner of the control panel 21' (FIG. 2). The variable speed of the motor 185 is controlled by a rheostat 207 located adjacent the switch 205 on the control panel 21'. The oscillating motor 197 is energized by closing a switch 209 adjacent the rheostat 207 on the control panel 21 Accordingly, the polishing wheel 43 may be rotated by first closing the main switch 97, then closing the polisher switch 205. The rpm of the polishing wheel 43 is controlled by manually changing the setting of the rheostat 207 to the desired setting. The oscillating motor 197 may be actuated independently of the motor 185 by closing the oscillator switch 209. In this regard, the oscillating motor 197 rotates the disk 201, having the eccentric shaft 203, which causes the pittman arm 195 to reciprocate to and fro, which causes the platform 177 and the motor mount 189 to simultaneously pivot about their respective pivot pins 179, 191 in unison, as above described. Since the polishing wheel 43 and its bearing support assembly 171 are fixedly attached to the support pedestal 169 which is fixedly attached to the platform 177, the rotating axes of the shafts 183, and 167 are likewise shifted in unison. The shaft 167 rotatably drives the polishing wheel 43 as it is being shifted. An important feature of the present invention is that a continuation upwardly of the vertical axis of the pivot pins 179, 191 intersects the plane of the polishing wheel 43 adjacent the outer circumferential annular groove thereof (FIG. 7), as best viewed in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the oscillator motor 197 shifts the rotating axis of the polisher motor to a position character referenced in FIG. 5 by the numeral 185' and it should be understood that the rotating axis of the shaft 167 is always directly above and parallel thereto.

In other words, the oscillating feature causes the plane of the polishing wheel 43 to be shifted from a midposition conveniently depicted in FIG. 7 by the numeral 43 to its extreme movement character referenced by the numerals 43 and 43". However, the structure character referenced by the numerals 43' and 43" in FIG. 7 should, if accurately depicting the displacement of the polishing wheel 43 (by the oscillating motor 197 only), be substantially superimposed upon the structure depicted by the numeral 43. Obviously, the polishing wheel 43 in FIG. 7 is conveniently so illustrated and character referenced as to more clearly show the displacement of the plane of the polishing wheel 43. In other words, the polishing wheel 43 does not move toward and away from the contact lens 13 by energizing the oscillating motor 197. It should be pointed out, however, that the polishing wheel 43 may be moved towards and away from the contact lens by structure yet to be disclosed.

The oscillating motor 197 preferably includes gear reduction structure (not shown) which will drive the disk 201 with considerable force and at a relatively low speed, e.g., 7 rpm. The important feature of the oscillating structure is that the polishing wheel 43 is canted inwardly as shown in FIG. 7 by the numeral 43" to polish the posterior radius or concave surface adjacent the peripheral edge of the contact lens 13 and is canted outwardly so as to polish the anterior radii or convex surface adjacent the peripheral edge of the contact lens at a constant rate resulting in substantially uniform burnishment. It should be understood that the polishing wheel 43 is rotating at a relatively high rpm as determined by the setting of the rheostat 207. Further, the contact lens 13 is rotating at a speed determined by the setting of the rheostat 103 and the spindles 31, 33 are rotating in a desired direction, i.e., preferably opposite the direction of rotation of the polishing wheel 43 depending upon the position of the switch 101, which was previously described.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10, it may be seen that the mounting plate 189, supporting the entire polishing and oscillating structure, may be moved from left to right and right to left as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5 by manually rotating a knurled knob 21 1. Additionally, the mounting plate 189 may be moved from top to bottom and from bottom to top, as viewed in FIG. 5, by manually rotating a knurled knob 213.

The structure which makes possible the above movement of the mounting plate 189 is designated as a polishing wheel feed assembly and is character referenced by the numeral 215, details of which are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The polishing wheel feed assembly 215, comprising several members formed from machine steel or the like, includes an upper dovetail member 217 which carries the mounting plate 189, the mounting plate 189 being fixedly attached thereto as with bolts (not shown).

The lower surface of the dovetail member 217 is provided with a female dovetail portion 219 extending the length thereof. The member 217 additionally is provided with a threaded aperture 221, the longitudinal axis of which extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of which extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the dovetail portion 219.

The feed assembly 215 also includes an intermediate dovetail member 223, the upper surface of which includes an upwardly protruding male dovetail portion 225 having a dimension so as to be slidably received in the dovetail portion 219. The lower surface of the dovetail member 223 is provided with a female dovetail portion 227, the longitudinal axis of which extends substantially 90 from the longitudinal axis of the dovetail portion 225.

The intermediate member 223 is also provided with a threaded aperture 229, the longitudinal axis of which extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the dovetail portion 227. Both the male and female dovetail portions 225, 227 respectively, extend between opposite ends of the member 223.

The intermediate member 223 also includes a shaft supporting bracket 231 for supporting and retaining the inner end of an elongated shaft 233. The supporting bracket 231, having a cross sectional shape resembling the capital L, extends from the end of the member 223, and the upright portion thereof is provided with a suitably aligned aperture 235 for receiving the shaft 233. The inner end of the shaft 233 carries a threaded portion which is received into the threaded aperture 221 and the outer end thereof carries the knurled knob 213. The shaft 233 is retained from lateral movement by a pair of snaprings 237 being received one on either side of the aperture 235 into suitably aligned annular recesses (not shown) in the shaft 233.

Manual rotation of the knob 213 threadedly drives the shaft 233 relatively into or out of the threaded aperture 221, thus causing the upper member 217 to slide to and fro within the mated dovetail portions 219, 225. In this regard, FIG. 9 depicts the displacement accomplished by rotation of the knob 213 wherein the mounting plate 189 and the upper member 217 are shown in a displaced relationship by the respective numerals 189, 217'.

The feed assembly 215 also includes a lower dovetail member 239 having an upwardly directed protruding male dovetail portion 241 extending between opposite ends along the upper surface thereof. The member 239 also includes a shaft supporting bracket 243, having the cross sectional shape of the capital L and a length preferably equal to the overall dimension of the member 239. It should be apparent that the dovetail portion 241 has a dimension which will enable it to be slidably received within the female dovetail portion 227 of the intermediate member 223.

The upright portion of the bracket 243 is provided with a suitably aligned aperture 245 for receiving and supporting the inner end of an elongated shaft 247, the aperture 245 being in alignment with the threaded aperture 229. The inner end of the shaft 247 carries a threaded portion which is threadedly received by the threaded aperture 229 and the outer end thereof carries the knurled knob 211. The shaft 247 is prevented from lateral movement by a pair of snaprings 249 being received, one on either side of the aperture 245, into a pair of suitably positioned annular recesses (not shown).

Manual rotation of the knob 211 threadedly drives the shaft 247 relatively into and out of the aperture 229, thus displacing the intermediate member 223 by sliding engagement between the respective dovetail portion 227, 241. In this regard, FIG. 10 depicts the displacement accomplished by rotation of the knob 211 wherein the mounting plate 189 and the intermediate member 223 are shown in a displaced relationship by the respective numerals 189', 223'.

The horizontal portion of the bracket 243 is provided with a pair of apertures 251 for receiving a pair of attachment bolts 253 which fixedly attach the lower member 239 to the floor 25 of the cabinet 15.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the feed assembly 215, as above described, provides structure for precision positioning of the polishing wheel 43, a feature which further insures that the contact lens 13 may be consistently finished in accordance with the desired specifications.

From FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it may be seen that the machine 11 of the present invention also includes a magnification projector or work enlarger device 255. The enlarger 255 further aids the operator of the machine by enabling him to substantially finish the contact lens 13 under a microscope. Thus, the lens 13 is free of irregularities and the shape thereof consistently conforms to the desired specifications.

The enlarger device 255 includes a lens assembly 257, being positioned over the innermost ends of the spindles 31, 33, having typical focusing and magnification features. The magnified image transmitted by the lens assembly 257 is projected upwardly and visually displayed on a typical projector scope 259. The scope 259 includes the usual reflective means 261 and the usual image displace surface 263, presenting an enlarged image of the work, e.g., a magnification factor of 10, to the operator. The device 255 is suspended directly above the inner ends of the spindles 31, 33 and is herewith supported by a scope support pedestal 265, as best viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The machine 11 also includes a reflective surface or mirror 267 coacting with the device 255, the plane of which is maintained substantially horizontal and is suspendedly supported subjacent the inner ends of the spindles 31, 33, as best viewed in FIG. 3. A stationary mirror support arm 269, being fixedly attached at the one end thereof to the table 27 in any well known manner, i.e., bolts 271, extends inwardly reaching over the movable platform 177 and supports the mirror 267 at the innermost end thereof, the mirror 267 having typical clamping and/or adjusting means (not shown) integrally attached to the back side thereof for clampingly engaging the arm 269.

The machine 11 of the present invention also includes a luminaire 273 coacting with the device 255 and the mirror 267, as best viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. The luminaire 273, being supported in an elevated position above the table 27 by a luminairesupport pedestal 275, preferably has the light radiating therefrom directed downwardly toward the inner ends of the spindles 31, 33 so that the subjacent mirror surface 267 reflects a large portion of these light rays upwardly through the lens assembly 257 so as to present a well contrasted image of the work, i.e., the contact lensv 13, the cutting tool 41, and/or the polishing wheel 43, to the operator. FIG. 7 of the drawings closely resembles the preferred picture in the display surface 263, i.e., the extent of the structure presented to the operator by the scope 259. The luminaire 273 is operated by a typical toggle switch 277 located adjacent the upper left corner of the control panel 21 From FIG. 12 of the drawings, it may be seen that the machine 11 includes a typical voltage rectification means 278, e.g., a selenium control rectifier, type ASH- 00 or similar, manufactured by the Bodine Electric Co., of Collierville, Tennessee. A rectifier of this type generates considerable heat and in order to prolong the life thereof, this heat is preferably rapidly dissipated. Accordingly, the machine of the present invention includes a blower assembly 279 housed within the cabinet 15 so as to create a strong current of air for rapidly dissipating the heat referred to above. The blower assembly 279 (FIG. 1) preferably is attached in any well known manner to the back side 23 of the cabinet 15, e.g., bolts and nuts (not shown).

An important feature of the blower assembly 279 is that air is drawn in through a suitably provided aperture (not shown) in the back side 23, the aperture being provided with a suitable filtering means and is directed initially over the rectifier; however, this creates a positive air pressure within the cavity of the cabinet 15 which is made use of in a rather unique fashion: The air, being warmed by the displacement or transfer of heat, is permitted to be discharged from the cavity of the cabinet 15 through the numerous apertures, previously described, in the table 27 adjacent the work piece, i.e., the contact lens 13.

The heated air movement through the interior of the cabinet 15 obviates most problems which normally develop from moisture and/or corrosion and additionally the movement of air outwardly from the apertures adjacent the work piece prevents foreign particles, i.e., plastic material removed from the lens 13 and/or dust and the like, from entering the interior of the cabinet 15.

Thus, maintenance problems which are usually associated with moisture and/or foreign particles are precluded. The blower assembly'279 and the rectifier 278 are energized when the main switch 97 is moved to the closed position.

Referring now to FIG. 12 of the drawings wherein it may be seen that the machine 11 is provided with the usual power cord, having the usual male connector or plug 281 and the usual pair of conductors 283, 285, providing power from any convenient outlet, e.g., 115 volts AC. It should be understood that the power cord may include the more recent usual third ground wire (not shown). The conductor 285 leading from the plug 281 is connected to a bus bar 287 or common connection point and the conductor 283 is connected to a terminal 289 of the single pole single throw main switch 97.

A second conductor 291 leading from the switch 97, being connected to the terminal 289 at the one end, leads to a terminal 293 of the single pole single throw switch 277 which energizes the luminaire 273. Closing the switch 277 completes the circuit from the terminal 293 to a second terminal 295 which receives the one end of a conductor 297. The other end of the conductor 297 is connected to one side of the luminaire 273. A conductor 299 is connected at the one end to the other side of the luminaire 273 and at the other end thereof to the bus bar 287.

A step-down transformer 301 reduces the volts AC to a suitable voltage for rectification, e.g., 56 volts AC or the like. The input voltage of the primary winding of the transformer 301 is applied, i.e., connected to a terminal 303 of the main switch 97 by a conductor 305 and is connected to the bus bar 287 by a conductor The blower assembly 279 is energized by the main switch 97 and is connected to the terminal 303 thereof by a conductor 309 and to the bus bar 287 by a conductor 311. The output voltage or the secondary winding of the transformer 301 is connected to the selenium control rectifier 278 by a pair of conductors 313, 315, i.e., conductor 313 at the one end and conductor 315 at the other end.

A pair of conductors 317, 319, carry the output voltage, e.g., 28 volts direct current for energizing the DC components, by one end of the conductor 317 being connected to the rectifier 278, as depicted in FIG. 12, and the other end thereof connected to a negative DC bus bar 321. The conductor 319 is connected at the one end thereof to the rectifier 278, as depicted in FIG. 12, and at the other end thereof to a positive DC bus bar 323.

The reversible variable speed spindle drive motor 45 is energized by the DC voltage as follows: A conductor 325 is connected at the one end thereof to the bus bar 323 and at the other end thereof to a terminal 327 of the single pole single throw switch 99. Closing the switch 99 completes the circuit to a second terminal 329, having the one end of a conductor 331 connected thereto. The other end of the conductor 331 is connected to-a terminal 333 of the rheostat 103. A conductor 335 carries the variable voltage, e.g., 0 28 volts DC or the like, from the rheostat 103 to the motor 45 by having one end thereof connected to a terminal or wiper 337 and the other end thereof connected to one brush or common terminal 339 of the motor 45, as depicted in FIG. 12.

The other brush or armature of the motor 45 is connected to the negative bus bar 321'by a conductor 341 having the one end thereof connected to a terminal 343 of the motor 45 and the other end thereof connected to the bus bar 321.

The forward winding of the motor 45, having a terminal 345, is energized through the rotary or selector switch 101. The switch 101 has an arcuate terminal 347, a second arcuate terminal 349, and a broad wiper terminal 351 and is preferably a three-position switch, having a forward, break and reverse position. A conductor 353 is connected at the one end to the forward winding terminal 345 and at the other end thereof to the terminal 347. When the switch 101 is in the forward position, the wiper 351 is electrically engaging the terminal 347, accordingly, the forward winding of the motor 45 is energized through a common conductor 355 having one end thereof connected to the wiper 351 and the other end thereof connected to the bus bar 321.

The reverse winding of the motor 45 terminate at a reverse winding terminal 357 and is energized through a conductor 359 having one end thereof connected to the terminal 357 and the other end thereof connected to the terminal 349. When the switch 101 is in the reverse position, the reverse winding of the motor 45 is energized, i.e., the wiper 351 electrically engages the terminal 349 which completes the circuit through the common conductor 355 as above described.

The motor 45 is braked by placing the switch 101 in the midposition, i.e., the wiper 351 simultaneously electrically engaging the arcuate terminals 347, 349, thus simultaneously energizing the forward and reverse windings of the motor 45.

The oscillator motor 197 is energized by closing the single pole single throw switch 209. A conductor 361 carries the DC voltage from the bus bar 323 to a terminal 363 of the switch 209. Closing the switch 209 completes the circuit to a second terminal 365, which receives the one end of a conductor 367. The other end of the conductor 367 is connected to the motor 197. A conductor 369 completes the circuit from the motor 197 to the bus bar 321.

It should be understood that the circuit for the machine 11 preferably is adapted with appropriate fuses, i.e., interposed between the voltage source and certain components. However, since the placement of fuses is operationally optional and technically mundane the schematic as depicted is void of fuses.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention.

1 claim:

1. A machine for finishing a contact lens and the like comprising a pair of opposed axially aligned inwardly directed rotating spindles each including a resilient contact lens holding means fixedly attached at the innermost ends thereof for sandwiching and firmly holding the lens therewith between said spindles, one of said spindles including lateral leverage means for moving said holding means from a first position whereby the sandwiched lens is bindingly held stationary with respect to said spindles, one of said spindles including lens centering means circumjacent thereto for accurately concentrically positioning the lens between said holding means of said spindles while said holding means are held in said first position by said leverage means, a motor rotatably driving said spindles including positive drive means for synchronically rotating said spindles, cutting means including knife-like edges for substantially wrapping around the peripheral edge of the contact lens; means movably supporting said cutting means for laterally adjusting said cutting means for selective engagement thereof with the circumferential terminal edge, the posterior surface, and the anterior surface of the lens for respectively reducing the diameter and the thickness of the lens adjacent the periphery thereof; polishing means, a motor rotatably driving said polishing means, means movably supporting said rotating polishing means having an inner and an outer end, oscillating means, a motor driving said oscillating means, said means supporting said polishing means adjacent the inner end thereof movably supportmg said rotating polishing means; said polishing support means including lateral adjusting means adjacent the inner end thereof for laterally adjusting said polishing means to selectively engage said polishing means with the circumferential terminal edge, the posterior surface and the anterior surface of the lens for finishing the respective outermost circumferential edge and the peripheral surfaces thereof; and said polishing support means adjacent the outer end thereof movably engaging said oscillating means for lateral shifting of the rotating axis of said polishing means so as to cyclically engage a portion thereof with the respective posterior and anterior surfaces adjacent the periphery of the rotating contact lens.

I III I? 

1. A machine for finishing a contact lens and the like comprising a pair of opposed axially aligned inwardly directed rotating spindles each including a resilient contact lens holding means fixedly attached at the innermost ends thereof for sandwiching and firmly holding the lens therewith between said spindles, one of said spindles including lateral leverage means for moving said holding means from a first position whereby the sandwiched lens is bindingly held stationary with respect to said spindles, one of said spindles including lens centering means circumjacent thereto for accurately concentrically positioning the lens between said holding means of said spindles while said holding means are held in said first position by said leverage means, a motor rotatably driving said spindles including positive drive means for synchronically rotating said spindles, cutting means including knife-like edges for substantially wrapping around the peripheral edge of the contact lens; means movably supporting said cutting means for laterally adjusting said cutting means for selective engagement thereof with the circumferential terminal edge, the posterior surface, and the anterior surface of the lens for respectively reducing the diameter and the thickness of the lens adjacent the periphery thereof; polishing means, a motor rotatably driving said polishing means, means movably supporting said rotating polishing means having an inner and an outer end, oscillating means, a motor driving said oscillating means, said means supporting said polishing means adjacent the inner end thereof movably supporting said rotating polishing means; said polishing support means including lateral adjusting means adjacent the inner end thereof for laterally adjusting said polishing means to selectively engage said polishing means with the circumferential terminal edge, the posterior surface and the anterior surface of the lens for finishing the respective outermost circumferential edge and the peripheral surfaces thereof; and said polishing support means adjacent the outer end thereof movably engaging said oscillating means for lateral shifting of the rotating axis of said polishing means so as to cyclically engage a portion thereof with the respective posterior and anterior surfaces adjacent the periphery of the rotating contact lens. 